On April 29, BCEN was proud to announce our 2026 Distinguished TCRN Award winner:
Cassie Herman, BSN, RN, TCRN
Trauma Program Manager
Riverside Health
Newport News, Virginia
What does this award mean to you?
As someone who has dedicated their career to trauma care, this award honors the countless hours spent strengthening my knowledge base, refining clinical judgment, and advocating for excellence in trauma care.
How has holding the Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) credential impacted your daily practice and your nursing career path?
Holding the TCRN credential has fundamentally shaped my daily practice and career trajectory. As a trauma program manager, board certification has provided both credibility and confidence in leading interdisciplinary teams. The rigorous standards required to achieve and maintain certification have strengthened my ability to translate evidence into practice, guide performance improvement initiatives, and mentor nurses seeking specialty certification themselves.
On a daily basis, TCRN certification sharpens my clinical lens. It influences how I anticipate complications, coordinate multidisciplinary care, evaluate trauma registry data, and support frontline staff managing high-acuity cases. The credential is not simply a title; it is a framework for decision-making, systems thinking, and accountability.
Beyond bedside care, board certification elevates the culture of our trauma program. It models excellence, inspires colleagues to pursue specialty credentials, and strengthens our institution’s commitment to high-reliability trauma systems. As a leader, it has allowed me to mentor emerging trauma nurses, develop education initiatives, and cultivate a team that values professional growth and certification as a marker of expertise.
What difference has being board certified in trauma nursing made for your patients and their families?
For my patients and their families, being board certified in trauma nursing translates into reassurance during chaos. Trauma care often unfolds in moments of fear, uncertainty, and life-altering change. Certification ensures that the care delivered is grounded in validated knowledge and best practices. It allows me to advocate confidently for timely interventions, safe transitions of care, and trauma-informed communication. Families may not always understand the significance of “TCRN,” but they experience its impact through coordinated care, clear communication, and improved outcomes.
In 2019, the Riverside Regional Medical Center’s ED had six Certified Emergency Nurses (CENs) and no TCRNs. Today, there are 17 TCRNs and 44 CENs, as well as numerous RNs who hold other credentials from BCEN and other certification boards.
Cassie was nominated by Riverside Health Trauma Educator Shelby Wiggington, who had this to say:
“As a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) and trauma program manager, she not only maintains expert-level knowledge of trauma resuscitation and stabilization principles, but also ensures those standards are operationalized consistently across the organization.
Clinically, Cassie demonstrates an advanced understanding of trauma pathophysiology, rapid prioritization in high acuity situations, and adherence to national trauma guidelines. Her presence during critical cases reflects composure, precision, and accountability—all hallmarks of a TCRN-certified nurse. Professionally, Cassie upholds the integrity of the trauma program through robust performance improvement processes, regulatory compliance, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Cassie also actively promotes specialty certification, mentoring nurses pursuing the TCRN credential and modeling lifelong learning. She understands that certification is not simply a credential but a commitment to excellence, accountability, and advancing the specialty of trauma nursing.
Through clinical expertise, ethical leadership, collaborative practice, and community advocacy, Cassie embodies the excellence and professionalism that defines a certified nurse in trauma.”
Mary Haigh, MSN, RN, CEN, NE-BC, Senior Director of Emergency Services at Riverside Regional Medical Center had this to say:
“Cassie absolutely embodies everything that it means to be a Distinguished TCRN. I have had the privilege of working alongside Cassie for the past 15 years, witnessing her remarkable growth as both a trauma nurse and a leader. Her dedication and expertise have significantly advanced our trauma program and have made a meaningful, positive impact on the community we serve. This recognition is truly well deserved.”
